Paul O’Hearn

Well over a decade ago, I started working with my classroom students on their college essays. There was much to learn, from both my students and my mentor David Gibson, a former admissions director at the Naval Academy, Georgetown University and Catholic University.

In 2021 I started offering college essay coaching throughout Maryland serving primarily Catholic school students. In 2025 I joined The College Essay Guy’s team of college essay specialists and now serve students across the nation. I have helped hundreds of students craft memorable and authentic application essays which share their unique contributions to the schools they apply to.

Since 2004, I have taught literature and writing to thousands of high school students across a range of content areas including British and American literature, environmental literature, creative writing and Shakespeare.

I hold BA and MA degrees from Washington College and have completed graduate coursework in the Science Writing program at Johns Hopkins University. I am also a Maryland state certified educator. I live just outside Annapolis, MD with my wife, two children and one crazy dog.